To add to what Andrew said…

The railroad was originally the “Park & Cliff House” in 1887, becoming the Ferries & Cliff House by 1890… closing down in 1902. They started with two SF built steam dummies, then starting in 1888 purchased Baldwin built 2-4-2t double ended locomotives, eventually stabling eight 2-4-2t’s.

The line was essentially an extension of the Ferries and Cliff house cable car lines, which ended at today’s Presidio Ave into the “Outer Lands” and to Lands End. The line ran out California to 33rd Ave, then on private right of way along the “lands end bluffs to their terminal above the Sutro Baths, plus a branch on 7th Ave to Golden Gate Park (the station shelter is still found at Fulton and 7th)

The (16) passenger cars were of somewhat unusual design, generally termed gothic, locally called “Golden Gates”. Some were closed, some open, and some a combination of open and closed. Disposition of the locomotives and cars is somewhat confused… one steam dummy ended up on a logging line off the NPC up Willow Creek, the other may have gone to the Salinas Railway. Two of the tank engines ended up in Hawaii, (OR&L No 5, and Hawaiian Dredging) one in British Columbia, the rest on various logging lines including the Diamond & Caldor, and Red River Lumber.

The Central Pacific owned standard gauge Park & Ocean railroad offered similar service with similar locomotives and cars, abet standard gauge from Stanyon Street along Lincoln Way to a depot at Balboa and the beach. The standard gauge “Golden Gates” were electrified and eventually sent to the Pacific Electric


The best book on the subject is “When Steam Ran on the Streets of San Francisco” by Walter Rice and Emiliano Echeverria… (Herold Cox, Fortyfort PA, 2002)

Randy

Randy Hees

Director, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, retired
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